Associate Professor Marcelle Dawson, Our people, Sociology, Gender Studies and Criminology, University of Otago, New Zealand

Marcelle Dawson Image MA (RAU) DPhil (Oxon)

Head of Programme

Contact details

Room 6C16 Richardson Building
Tel +64 3 479 8113
Email marcelle.dawson@otago.ac.nz

My research platform comprises four interrelated themes, namely Social Movements and Popular Protest; Identities; Alternative Futures and Cognitive Justice. In general, I am interested in researching and teaching about social transformation, and I have a particular interest in alternatives to capitalism.

Teaching

SOCI 102 Cultural and Social Identities
SOCI 310 Social Movements and Popular Protest
SOCI 410 Alternative Futures and the Sociological Imagination
SOCI 490 Dissertation

Research interests

Social movements and popular protest
Alternative futures
Social identities
Cognitive justice

Postgraduate supervision

Not accepting students until 2024

Current Postgraduate Supervision

Erin Silver (PhD, Primary supervisor)
Proposed topic: ‘Creating Transformative Change: exploring the place of social service NGOs in the abolitionist movement in Aotearoa’

Dani Pickering, VUW (PhD, Co-supervisor, External)
Proposed topic: ‘Tracing the evolution of the Tiriti education movement’

Shirley A’chieng (PhD Co-supervisor)
Proposed topic: "Towards an Indigenous African Approach to Counterterrorism in Kenya.”

Jule Barth (PhD, Co-supervisor)
Proposed topic: “Political Subjectivities, Knowledge and Care”

Suddhabrata Deb Roy (PhD, Primary supervisor)
Proposed topic: “The Dormant Contemporary Indian Working Women’s Movements: Failure of Unions and Marxism or Inadequacy of Feminism?”

Tahere Siisiialafia (PhD, Co-supervisor)
Proposed topic: “Spirituality, Youth Advocacy and Activism: A Pacific Perspective”

Completed supervision

Samwel Oando (PhD, Co-supervisor)
Proposed topic: "Engendered Conflict Transformation: Space for African Women in Tackling Violent Extremism in Kenya" (Completed in 2022)

Mariam Abdul-Dayyem: (PhD, Primary supervisor)
"Everyday resilience: How has the journey of internet usage among Palestinians in the West Bank affected and reflected their political subjectivity?” (Completed in 2021)

Yoonjin Kim (PhD, Joint supervisor)
"Old Practices, Sports Reforms and Sports Coaches in a Quandary: Sports Coaches’ Identities and the Coaching Self" (Completed in 2020)

Joe Llewellyn (PhD, Co-supervisor)
“Envisioning an Anarcho-Pacifist Peace: A case for the convergence of anarchism and pacifism and an exploration of the Gandhian movement for a stateless society” (Completed in 2018)

Amy Foster (BA Honours, Sociology)
“You’re Welcome Here, but…”: Understanding the Role of Mass and Social Media in Shaping Attitudes Towards Refugees in New Zealand (Completed in 2016)

Krzysztof Jankowski (BA Honours, Sociology)
"Everyday Resistances of the Local Food Movement: Individual Action or Collective Social Change?" (Completed in 2013)

Lucert Nkuna (MA Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Primary supervisor)
"Youth Identity and Popular Culture: A study of ‘The Zone’, Rosebank, Johannesburg." (Completed in 2014)

Heather Tluczek (MA Development Studies, University of Johannesburg, Primary supervisor)
"Municipal Service Partnerships in KwaZulu-Natal: Comparing Water Service Provision in Etete and Kwadukuza." (Completed in 2013)

Kgopotso Khumalo (MA Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Primary supervisor)
“Perceptions and Experiences of the Urban Landless People’s Movement in Acquiring Land: The Case of the Landless People’s Movement in Protea South’ (Completed in 2012)

Rachélle Koekemoer (MA Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Co-supervisor)|
“Community Participation in Water Service Delivery in the Vembe District, Limpopo” (Completed in 2009)

Kurai Masenyama (MA Sociology, University of Johannesburg, Co-supervisor)
“The Influence of Local Content Regulations on ‘National Identity’ Creation: The Case of the South African Broadcasting Corporation Television” (Completed in 2005)

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Publications

Jackson, S. J., Sam, M. P., Dawson, M. C., & Porter, D. (2022). The wellbeing pandemic: Outline of a contested terrain and a proposed research agenda. Frontiers in Sociology, 7, 950557. doi: 10.3389/fsoc.2022.950557

Dawson, M. C. (2022). Participatory action research and the study of political participation. In M. Giugni & M. Grasso (Eds.), The Oxford handbook of political participation. (pp. 329-343). New York, NY: Oxford University Press. doi: 10.1093/oxfordhb/9780198861126.001.0001

Kim, Y. J., & Dawson, M. C. (2022). Sports reforms, interaction (dis)order and stigma: coaching identities in context. Sport, Education & Society, 27(7), 830-843. doi: 10.1080/13573322.2021.1932456

Jackson, S. J., & Dawson, M. C. (2021). The global business of sport in a brave new world: Conceptualising a framework for alternative futures. Frontiers in Sports & Active Living, 3, 673178. doi: 10.3389/fspor.2021.673178

Wallace, A., Jackson, S., & Dawson, M. C. (2021). Women's experiences of rugby culture in Aotearoa/New Zealand: Naked women talk about sport. In H. Joncheray (Ed.), Women in rugby. (pp. 101-115). London, UK: Routledge. doi: 10.4324/9781003005544

Dawson, M. C., Rosin, C., & Wald, N. (Eds.). (2018). Global resource scarcity: Catalyst for conflict or cooperation? Abingdon, UK: Routledge, 210p.

Edited Book - Research

Dawson, M. C., & Sinwell, L. (Eds.). (2012). Contesting transformation: Popular resistance in twenty-first century South Africa. London, UK: Pluto Press, 300p.

Edited Book - Research

Beinart, W., & Dawson, M. C. (Eds.). (2010). Popular politics and resistance movements in South Africa. Johannesburg, South Africa: Wits University Press, 376p.

Edited Book - Research

Alexander, P., Dawson, M. C., & Ichharam, M. (Eds.). (2006). Globalisation and new identities: A view from the middle. Johannesburg, South Africa: Jacana Media, 364p.

Edited Book - Research

Chapter in Book - Research

Dawson, M. C., Rosin, C., & Wald, N. (2018). A world without scarcity? In M. C. Dawson, C. Rosin & N. Wald (Eds.), Global resource scarcity: Catalyst for conflict or cooperation? (pp. 203-206). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Dawson, M. C., Rosin, C., & Wald, N. (2018). Introduction: Resource scarcity between conflict and cooperation. In M. C. Dawson, C. Rosin & N. Wald (Eds.), Global resource scarcity: Catalyst for conflict or cooperation? (pp. 1-18). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Dawson, M. C. (2015). Social contestation, citizenship and modernity in democratic South Africa. In B. M. Bringel & J. M. Domingues (Eds.), Global modernity and social contestation. London, UK: SAGE. doi: 10.4135/9781473916449.n15

Chapter in Book - Research

Dawson, M. C., & Sinwell, L. (2015). Ethical and political challenges of participatory action research in the academy: Reflections on social movements and knowledge production in South Africa. In K. Gillan & J. Pickerill (Eds.), Research ethics and social movements: Scholarship, activism and knowledge production. (pp. 43-56). Abingdon, UK: Routledge.

Chapter in Book - Research

Dawson, M. C., & Setshedi, V. (2014). Social movement activism in South Africa: Ebbs and flows, 2000-2010. In A. L. Farro & H. Lustiger-Thaler (Eds.), Reimagining social movements: From collectives to individuals. (pp. 159-176). Farnham, UK: Ashgate.

Chapter in Book - Research

Dawson, M. C., & Sinwell, L. (2012). Transforming scholarship: Soberly reflecting on the politics of resistance. In M. C. Dawson & L. Sinwell (Eds.), Contesting transformation: Popular resistance in twenty-first century South Africa. (pp. 1-22). London, UK: Pluto Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Sinwell, L., & Dawson, M. C. (2012). Transforming contestation: Some closing words. In M. C. Dawson & L. Sinwell (Eds.), Contesting transformation: Popular resistance in twenty-first century South Africa. (pp. 258-267). London, UK: Pluto Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Dawson, M. C. (2010). 'Phansi privatisation! Phansi!': The anti-privatisation forum and ideology in social movements. In M. C. Dawson & W. Beinart (Eds.), Popular politics and resistance movements in South Africa. (pp. 266-285). Johannesburg, South Africa: Wits University Press.

Chapter in Book - Research

Dawson, M. C. (2010). Resistance and repression: Policing protest in post-apartheid South Africa. In J. Handmaker & R. Berkhout (Eds.), Mobilising social justice in South Africa: Perspectives from researchers and practitioners. (pp. 101-136). The Hague, The Netherlands: Hivos/ISS Civil Society Building Knowledge Programme.

Chapter in Book - Research

Dawson, M. C. (2006). Students, activism and identity. In P. Alexander, M. C. Dawson & M. Ichharam (Eds.), Globalisation and new identities: A view from the middle. (pp. 275-294). Johannesburg, South Africa: Jacana Media.

Chapter in Book - Research

Journal - Research Article

Kim, Y. J., & Dawson, M. C. (2022). Sports reforms, interaction (dis)order and stigma: coaching identities in context. Sport, Education & Society, 27(7), 830-843. doi: 10.1080/13573322.2021.1932456

Journal - Research Article

Dawson, M. C. (2020). Rehumanising the university for an alternative future: Decolonisation, alternative epistemologies and cognitive justice. Identities, 27(1), 71-90. doi: 10.1080/1070289X.2019.1611072

Journal - Research Article

Kim, Y. J., Dawson, M. C., & Cassidy, T. (2020). Crafting a one-dimensional identity: Exploring the nexus between totalisation and reinvention in an elite sports environment. Sport, Education & Society, 25(1), 84-97. doi: 10.1080/13573322.2018.1555660

Journal - Research Article

Dawson, M. C. (2017). CrossFit: Fitness cult or reinventive institution? International Review for the Sociology of Sport, 52(3), 361-379. doi: 10.1177/1012690215591793

Journal - Research Article

Dawson, M. C. (2017). Student activism against the neocolonial, neoliberal university: Exploring a sociology of absences, emergences, and hidden fines. Counterfutures, (4), 53-84. Retrieved from http://counterfutures.nz

Journal - Research Article

Jackson, S. J., & Dawson, M. C. (2017). IOC-state-corporate nexus: Corporate diplomacy and the Olympic coup d'état. South African Journal for Research in Sport, Physical Education & Recreation, 39(1:2), 101-111.

Journal - Research Article

Dawson, M. C. (2012). Protest, performance and politics: The use of 'nano-media' in social movement activism in South Africa. Research in Drama Education, 17(3), 321-345. doi: 10.1080/13569783.2012.694028

Journal - Research Article

Dawson, M. C., & Sinwell, L. (2012). Ethical and political challenges of participatory action research in the academy: Reflections on social movements and knowledge production in South Africa. Social Movement Studies, 11(2), 177-191. doi: 10.1080/14742837.2012.664900

Journal - Research Article

Dawson, M. (2010). The cost of belonging: Exploring class and citizenship in Soweto's water war. Citizenship Studies, 14(4), 381-394. doi: 10.1080/13621025.2010.490033

Journal - Research Article

Zeilig, L., & Dawson, M. (2008). Student activism, structural adjustment and the democratic transition in Africa. Journal of Higher Education in Africa, 6(2&3), 1-31.

Journal - Research Article

Dawson, M. C. (2007). Identity formation among learners at a South African high school: Assessing the interaction between context and identity. Race Ethnicity & Education, 10(4), 457-472. doi: 10.1080/13613320701658472

Journal - Research Article

Dawson, M. (2003). Fighting wars on different fronts: The role of social movements. Aambeeld/Anvil, 31(1), 29-32.

Journal - Research Other

Dawson, M. (2003). From Brazil to India: Lessons from WSF III. Debate, 9, 27-30.

Journal - Research Other

Dawson, M. (2003). Is another world possible? South African Labour Bulletin, 27(1), 64, 64.

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

Dawson, M., Matalala, W., & Maleka, L. (2001). 'Collective consciousness'. South African Labour Bulletin, 25(3), 93-95.

Journal - Professional & Other Non-Research Articles

Dawson, M. C. (2016). Putting the brakes on the edufactory and reclaiming the campus as a site of resistance. Proceedings of the Social Movements Resistance and Social Change III Conference. (pp. 33-50). Retrieved from https://counterfutures.nz/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Dawson, M. (2003). Young voices: South African students in the fight against neo-liberal globalisation. Globalisation and New Social Identities Symposium. (pp. 57-70). Johannesburg, South Africa: Centre for Sociological Research. [Full Paper]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Full paper

Siisiialafia, T., Vakaoti, P., & Dawson, M. (2019). Youth and spirituality in the Pacific. In A. Finigan, P. Vakaoti, R. Richards & M. Schaaf (Eds.), Proceedings of the Pacific Postgraduate Symposium: Pacific Voices XVI. (pp. 27). Dunedin, New Zealand: The Pacific Islands Centre, University of Otago. Retrieved from https://www.otago.ac.nz/pacific

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Dawson, M. (2018). Insurgent scholarship and cognitive justice: Exploring knowledge production within and beyond the academy. Proceedings of the International Sociological Association (ISA) XIX World Congress of Sociology. (pp. 250). Madrid, Spain: International Sociological Association. [Abstract]

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Dawson, M. C. (2015). CrossFit and prosumer capitalism: Thinking outside the box? Proceedings of the International Sociology of Sport Association (ISSA) Congress. Retrieved from http://issa1965.org/conferences/historical-overview/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Dawson, M. (2014). 'Fitter, faster, stronger, better': Crossfit as a reinventive institution. Proceedings of the XVIII International Sociological Association (ISA) World Congress of Sociology: Facing an Unequal World: Challenges for Global Sociology. (pp. 212). International Sociological Association. Retrieved from http://www.isa-sociology.org/congress2014/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Dawson, M. (2013). Community conflict and contestation: The struggle for participatory democracy in South Africa's modern state. Proceedings of the South African Sociological Association (SASA) Conference: Doing Sociology from the Periphery Place: Place, Power and Knowledge. (pp. 52). Retrieved from http://www.sasaonline.org.za/past-conferences.html

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Dawson, M. C. (2010). The politics of protesting policing in South Africa. Proceedings of the XVII ISA World Congress of Sociology: Sociology on the Move. (pp. 111). Retrieved from http://www.isa-sociology.org/congress2010/

Conference Contribution - Published proceedings: Abstract

Dawson, M. C., Procter, L., Stringer, R., & Vakaoti, P. (Eds.). (2019). Proceedings of the Sociology, Gender Studies & Criminology, Social & Community Work Postgraduate Symposium III. Dunedin, New Zealand: Sociology, Gender Studies & Criminology Programme, University of Otago. 57p.

Conference Contribution - Edited volume of conference proceedings

Dawson, M. C., Vakaoti, P., & Tolich, M. (Eds.). (2018). Proceedings of the Department of Sociology, Gender and Social Work Postgraduate Symposium II. Dunedin, New Zealand: University of Otago. 79p.

Conference Contribution - Edited volume of conference proceedings

Barth, J., Bond, S., & Dawson, M. (2019, August). Power, knowledge and community: Climate change engagement in South Dunedin. Verbal presentation at the School of Geography Postgraduate Symposium, Dunedin, New Zealand.